Two jewellers, one board of gems
Play Gem Duel online free
A two-player engine builder: grab gems in lines, buy cards that make the next ones cheaper, and race to points, crowns or a single dominant colour — while denying your rival what they need.
No sign-up, no download: play bots right now or share a 4-letter code with your friends.
Or download the app
Players
2
Length
30 min
Difficulty
Hard
Mode
Competitive
What is Gem Duel?
Two jewellers, one board of gems. First to 20 points, 10 crowns or 10 points in one colour wins. 2 players.
If you have played Splendor Duel, you already know the idea: Gem Duel is inspired by it and adapted to play online, everyone on their own phone, with bots for missing players.
Splendor Duel is a trademark of its publisher. Apateon is not affiliated with or endorsed by it.
Gem Duel on Apateon
How to play Gem Duel
- 1A head-to-head duel. Gems sit on a shared 5×5 board: take up to three in a straight line, or a gold to reserve a card.
- 2Spend gems to buy cards. Each card is a permanent discount in its colour, and many bring points, crowns or a power.
- 3Win with 20 points, 10 crowns, or 10 points in cards of one colour — whichever you reach first.
Full Gem Duel rules
On your turn
- •First, as many optional actions as you like: spend a privilege to take any one gem (not gold), or refill the board from the bag — but refilling hands your rival a privilege.
- •Then exactly one main action: take gems, reserve a card, or buy a card.
Taking gems
- •Take one, two or three gems side by side in a straight line — a row, a column or a diagonal, with no gaps. Never gold.
- •Taking three of the same colour, or both pearls, gives your rival a privilege.
- •You may hold 10 gems at most: put the extras back at the end of your turn.
Reserving and buying
- •Reserve: take one gold from the board and a card from the rows (or the top of a deck, unseen by your rival). You can hold three reserved cards.
- •Buy: pay a card from the rows or your reserve. Each card you own is a permanent discount of one gem of its colour. Gold pays for any gem, pearls included.
- •Wild cards take the colour of a stack you already own, adding to that colour's discount and points.
Powers, crowns and privileges
- •Again: take another turn. Gem: take a gem of the card's colour from the board. Steal: take a gem (not gold) from your rival. Privilege: take a privilege.
- •Reaching 3 crowns, then 6, earns you a royal card — points, and sometimes a power.
- •There are three privileges. When you get one and none are left on the table, you take it from your rival.
Winning
- •At the end of your turn you win if you have 20 points, 10 crowns, or 10 points in cards of a single colour.
- •The second player starts with one privilege to make up for going second.
Tips to win at Gem Duel
- •Your first cards are mostly discounts: each one permanently cuts the cost of a gem of its colour.
- •Avoid taking three gems of one colour or both pearls unless it is worth it: it gives your rival a privilege.
- •Watch your rival's crowns: with 10 crowns they win even without 20 points.
- •Reserving a card your rival needs takes it away from them and gives you a gold, which pays for any gem.
Why Apateon
One code for the whole night
One room, one 4-letter code, every game. Switch games without inviting anyone again.
No account
Type your name and play. No sign-up, no passwords.
Bots fill empty seats
Missing someone? A bot takes the seat so you can start right away.
Phone and web
Some play from the app, others from a browser — all in the same game.
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FAQ
How do you win at Gem Duel?
At the end of your turn, if you have 20 points, 10 crowns or 10 points in cards of a single colour.
What are privileges for?
Spend one to take any gem from the board (not gold) on top of your action. There are three; if you earn one and none are left, you take it from your rival.
Can more than 2 play Gem Duel?
No, it is for two only. For 2 to 4 players there is Gem Merchants.
How many people can play Gem Duel?
Gem Duel plays with 2 players. If you are short, Apateon fills the empty seats with bots.
How long is a game of Gem Duel?
A full game takes about 30 minutes.
Can I play Gem Duel online for free?
Yes. Gem Duel is free in your browser and in the Apateon app, with no sign-up.
Is Gem Duel like Splendor Duel?
It is inspired by Splendor Duel: the same idea, adapted to play online for free, everyone on their own phone, with bots for missing players.
Do we all need to be in the same place?
No. Everyone uses their own phone or computer, so you can play around one table or remotely, for example over a video call.